Space form skeleton structures made of prefabricated tri-axial interlocking building elements having non-rigid force distributing connectors



DOWLING Sept.v 16, 1969 S. SPACE FORM SKELETON STRUCTURES MADE OFPREFABRICATED FRI-AXIAL INTERLOCKING BUILDING ELEMENTS HAVING NON-RIGIDFORCE DISTRIBUTING CONNECTORS I Filed Nov. 27. 1967 Qafilllllllllllllilll n. .fi

INVENTOR /%y ATTORNEY:

III-III- United States Patent 0 US. Cl. 52227 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE Prefabricated tri-axial building elements are stacked to forma plurality of horizontally spaced columns which are interlocked toprovide a space form skeleton for a multi-layer structure which may be abuilding, a bridge, a tower, or the like. Each prefabricated buildingelement has a plurality of mutually perpendicular arms, and selectedarms have provided at their ends a non-rigid force distributingconnector.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The use of prefabricated building elementsfor forming structures is known; however, presently used methods ofconstruction and design of prefabricated building elements depend to agreat extent on the application of conventional principles of forcetransmission and a rigid interconnection of all units.

Briefly, the requisite strength of elements required to transmit forcesto footings which support a structure are determined by the post andlintel method, the arch method or the rigid frame method. In the postand lintel meth- 0d, the horizontal member or lintel is designed toabsorb the energy of load deflection and rest the load, together withits own weight on a vertical column at each end. The vertical column orpost maintains the lintel in posi tion by thrusting upward and is itselfstrong enough to deliver its weight and the accumulated load to thefootmgs.

The arch method is used for designing curves or arches. A plurality ofindividual elements are built-up and locked together geometrically in afiat arch which acts as a lintel or a high arch which acts incombination as a lintel and a column. The rigid frame method introducesa continuity of bending by employing a horizontal member which acts as alintel and, which upon being bent in a vertical direction, acts as acolumn.

In applying these principles, it has generally been assumed that a rigidinterconnection of elements is necessary for proper distribution of loadforces and stability of the erected structure. Where prefabricatedbuilding elements are utilized, resort is often made to prestressing orpost tensioning of the elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, Ihave found that structures such as buildings, towers, dams, bridges,scaffolding and the like can be erected from preformed or prefabricatedtri-axial building elements having nonrigid force distributingconnectors. The individual prefabricated elements are interlocked byfield assembly of a matrix of prefabricated elements arranged in adesired space form skeleton. By space form skeleton, it is meant theframe structure of the erected unit which is adapted to support thefloor panels, wall panels and other finishing materials necessary tocomplete the structure.

In many applications, where individual building elements are used toerect a building, the elements are cast on site. Particularly in thecase of precast concrete structures, heavy precast elements create aconsiderable 3,466,823 Patented Sept. 16,, 1969 ice amount of difficultywhen erecting buildings of any substantial height. The use ofprefabricated tri-axial building elements and non-rigid connections inaccordance with the present invention has the advantage that theindividual elements can be economically manufactured on a massproduction basis at a remote location. Further, the building elementscan be designed to be of comparatively small size and weight and can beconstructed of a variety of materials so that handling and shippingproblems and problems of on site erection are minimized. Taperedconstruction of members forming the building elements reduces the amountof material used to reduce dead load and facilitates gradation offOlTIlS for esthetic effects.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide prefabricatedbuilding elements adapted for assembly into a space form skeletonstructure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a space formskeleton structure comprising a matrix of interlocked prefabricatedbuilding elements.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a non-rigidconnector for interlocking prefabricated building elements.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a non-rigidforce distributing connection for prefabricated building elementsadapted to be interlocked to form a rigid skeleton frame structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, wherein likecharacters represent like parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prefabricated building element,without connectors;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, elevational view, partly in cross-section, of aprefabricated building element and connector;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, elevational view, partly in cross-section, of aconnection between adjacent arms of adjacently mounted prefabricatedelements;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, elevational view, of a space form skeletoncomprising columns of stacked prefabricated building elementsconstructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a single column forming a towerembodying the principles of the present invention; and

FIGS. 6A-6C are schematic views of typical structures which may beformed in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION-OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings,and in particular to FIG. 1, reference character 10 designates generallya prefabricated tri-axial building element which may be used to form theskeleton support of a structure. Element 10 includes a plurality ofmutually perpendicular arms 11-16, each of which is advantageouslyconstructed from four planar members 1720 joined to each other along oneedge 21. The other edge 22 of each member 17-20 may be tapered to reducedead load of the structure.

A portion of each member is cut or tapered at one end 23 and the memberis disposed so that the end abuts the cut-away portion of the end of anadjacent planar member of an adjacent arm. The ends 23 of each of thefour planar members 17-20 of each arm terminate at a point which formsthe center of the building element and a central reference or point oforigin for the axes x, y and z of the arms.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the building element is symmetrical aboutthepoint of origin and, therefore, each arm is symmetrical about its axis.Such a structure not only facilitates fabrication, but provides a unitwhich is readily adapted for computer computation of stresses and sizesand adaptation of computer programming to the building process. It isnot necessary, however, that exact symmetry about the point of origin bemaintained. In some instances, it is preferable that the lengths of theindividual arms of an element be different. The lengths are chosen inaccordance with design requirements of the structure in which theelements are used, but in all cases, each arm is constructed symmetricalabout its axis. The elements may be fabricated from steel, aluminum,reinforced concrete, wood, plastic, or any other suitable buildingmaterial.

In order to stack building elements in the form of a column and tointerlock elements in adjacent columns, selected arms of each elementhave secured at their ends, as more clearly shown in FIG. 2, a mountingplate which is attached to a non-rigid force distributing connector 24fabricated of metal. Connector 24 is designed to withstand static anddynamic loads of the completed structure and includes bearing plate 26,mounting block 27, and inter-connecting link 28. Mounting plate 25 ispreferably a disc shaped member joined to the end of an arm in anysuitable manner so as to provide a flat surface to which the bearingplate 26 is Welded.

Bearing plate 26 includes a main body portion 29 having a central bore30 which receives the link 28. Bore 30 is countersunk at the face of themain body portion adjacent plate 25 to provide an enlarged bore openingthat receives the head 31 of the link. The unconnected side of bearingplate 26 includes an integral cylindrical projection 32 through whichthe central bore 30 extends.

Mounting block 27 includes a central bore 33 which extends therethroughand adapted to receive the end of link 28 which is of a lengthsuificient to extend into the countersunk bore 34. Enlarged bore 34receives a link fastening head 35 which when mounted prevents plate 26and block 27 from separating. In the face of mounting block 27, adjacentbearing plate 26, there is provided an enlarged bore 36 which is freelyreceived over projection 32. The depth of bore 36 is slightly greaterthan the length of projection 32 so that the column bearing forces areapplied to mating surfaces 37, 38 of the bearing plate and mountingblock and not between surface 39 of the projection and the adjacent flatsurface of bore 36. The outer curved surface of projection 32 and theinternal curved surface of bore 36 are dimensioned and cooperate towithstand maximum shear forces.

As hereinbefore mentioned, outer mounting block 27 is freely receivedover projection 32 and loosely mounted thereto by interconnecting link28. A threaded bolt and nut may advantageously be used to mount thebearing plate and mounting block together whence none of the shear orcolumn forces of the structure are taken up by the link. The connectionshould be such that the mounting block in its assembled position can befreel turned by hand. This permits a slight rotation of coupled buildingelements and insures that the bending moment at the point of connectionwill be zero, while the shear forces will be maximum. Forces aretransmitted from one building element to the other through the armswhich resist flexure until absorbed by structure footings or otherstabilizing members. Due to the fact that the horizontal arms extendperpendicular to each other and are perpendicular to the columnar,vertically disposed arms, the completed structure is capable of takingup wind forces from all directions.

It should be readily apparent that there has thus far been described abuilding element which may be preassembled at a remote location as asingle unit having one or more connectors mounted in place and which maybe conveniently shipped to the construction site where the elements arejoined to erect the structure. FIG. 3 shows the manner in which aconnector on one arm of a building element is joined to an adjacent armof an adjacent building element. To this end, adjacent building elementsare positioned in place and the elements aligned and leveled. At thispoint, a spacing exists between mounting plate 25 and the back,substantially flat face 40 of mounting plate 27. The spacing is measuredand an appropriate shim plate 41 is welded to the surface 40 and to theadjacent mounting plate 25.

It should be apparent that, at this point, there has been described aconnection which is non-rigid and completely free. That is, if oneelement is held firm, the other building element is free to rotate aboutthe axis of the connector. This connection is the same whether madebetween two horizontal arms or two vertical arms of the buildingelements. When made between horizontally disposed arms, the adjacentcurved surfaces of the mating male and female connecting members takethe sheer forces. For vertically disposed arms, the mating surfaces 37and 38 transmit the columnar forces.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is illustrated one row of a plurality ofcolumns A-E of a structure formed in accordance with the principles ofthe present invention. Each column A-E is supported on a separatefooting which serves to absorb the static and dynamic loads on thestructure and to stabilize the structure at the base. However,stabilization can be effective through the use of tension or compressionmembers interconnected between the extremities of selected arms of theoutermost building elements. In the embodiment where the groundstructure is utilized to stabilize the structure, footings 50 need notbe applied beneath each column A-E, and it is only necessary that therebe at least two adjacent footings to absorb all forces transmittedthrough the arms of the building elements.

In the process of erection, the footings 50 are first poured and amounting plate 51 is set level on each footing. Preferably, the centercolumn C of the structure is set first, and building element 52 iscarried and set in position by a crane. The workmen set element 52 forproper height and level by the addition of shims which are welded to themounting plate and to the mounting block of a connector on the arm ofthe building element in the manner hereinbefore described. Next,adjacent building elements 53 and 54 are swung into place and leveled.The process is repeated until all building elements in the first layerare positioned in place. Temporary guy wires 57 may be utilized to staythe elements in position. After the first layer is positioned, thefractional clearance between each adjoining element is measured and shimplates of accommodating thickness are welded in position. The firstlayer is now interlocked and the guy wires 57 may be removed. A transitis set up at the next higher level and the second layer of buildingelements are set in position atop the lower level, and the processrepeated until roof level is reached.

Where foundation stabilization is insuflicient, the outermostextremities of the building elements may be interconnected withcompression bars 55, 56, either at the uppermost level or at Sideelevations or through any intermediate level. Lastly, the floor panelsand Walls and interior elements are added in any conventional manner,and are supported to the flat planar members which make up the arms ofeach building element.

FIG. 5 shows an elevational view of a single column 60 comprising eightstacked elements 61-68 supported on a narrow flat concrete foundation69. Cables and 71 connect the horizontal arms of each element to thebase. As the column 60 is erected, the cables connecting buildingelement 61 to the foundation are maintained taut. As the second element62 is placed in position, the cable connection is extended and theconnection again made taut, the process being repeated until the finalelement 68 is raised in position. The uppermost elements 67 and 68 areadapted to support a carillon system in a conventional manner. It shouldbe apparent, that in addition to the functional tower structure, theerected tower has considerable esthetic value.

Other forms of possible structures are illustrated diagrammatically inFIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C. FIG. 6A shows a low type, seven-layer structure 72,while FIG. 6B shows a tall, multilevel, skyscraper type building 73. Itshould be apparent from the simplified diagrammatic views that theprocess of erection, particularly from the design standpoint, isconsiderably simplified. At each juncture of a horizontal and verticalline in the diagrammatic views, there is positioned a building element.The dimensions of the building element are automatically determined bythe spacing between the juncture points, each arm being equal toone-half the distance between the juncture points. FIG. 6C illustrates abridge structure 74 wherein the forces from the outermost buildingelements are transmitted to the lowermost elements in the centersupporting columns. Obviously structures of various shapes and sizes canbe erected in accordance with the inventive concept of the presentinvention, and various modifications will suggest themselves to thoseskilled in the art without departing from the inventive concept. It istherefore intended by the appended claims to cover all suchmodifications which fall within the true scope and spirit of theinvention.

1 claim:

1. A skeleton space form for a multi-level structure comprising aplurality of horizontally spaced vertical columns, each column includinga plurality of stacked prefabricated tri-axial building elements, eachelement comprising a plurality of mutually perpendicular arms extendingoutwardly in horizontal and vertical directions from a central point andbeing symmetrical about said point, means for vertically supporting thecorresponding arm of the building elements in each vertical column andmeans for non-rigidly connecting selected ends of the other arms of thebuilding elements in each vertical column to adjacent ends of adjacentarms of the building elements in adjacent vertical columns such thatthere is formed a stable frame structure having interdependent buildingelements forming a plurality of levels, each level comprising a matrixof said tri-axial building elements.

2. A skeleton space form as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means fornon-rigidly connecting selected ends of the other arms of the buildingelements in each vertical column to adjacent ends of arms of thebuilding elements in adjacent vertical columns includes a bearing platesecured to each selected end and a bearing block loosely secured to eachbearing plate and adapted to be rigidly connected to the correspondingadjacent ends.

3. A non-rigid force distributing connection joining arms of adjacentprefabricated building elements, each building element comprising aplurality of mutually perpendicular arms extending outwardly inhorizontal and vertical directions from a central point and beingsymmetrical about said point, said elements adapted to be inter lockedto form a rigid skeleton frame structure comprising a bearing platehaving a main body portion and a projection extending therefrom, amating block having a cylindrical bore adapted to receive saidprojection, the depth of said bore being greater than the length of saidprojection and the diameter of said bore relative to the diameter ofsaid projection being such that a snug fit is provided between theprojection and the bore, means for mounting said bearing plate to oneend of the arm of one of the prefabricated building elements and meansfor mounting said mating block to the adjacent end of the arm of theadjacent prefabricated building element such that said projection isreceived within said bore.

4. A non-rigid force distributing connection as set forth in claim 3wherein said bearing plate and said mating block are mounted to providea beam connection with the axes parallel to ground level such that theouter surface of said projection and the adjacent surface of the boreprovide a shear bearing surface for transmission of load forces throughsaid beam connection between adja cent prefabricated elements.

5. A non-rigid force distributing connection as set forth in claim 3wherein said bearing plate and mating block are mounted to provide acolumn connection with their axes vertical such that the flat surface ofthe bearing plate adjacent and surrounding the projection and the fiatsurface of the mating plate adjacent and surrounding the bore provide acolumn bearing for transmission of load forces through said connectionbetween adjacent prefabricated elements.

6. A force distributing connector interlocking prefabricated buildingelements, each building element comprising a plurality of mutuallyperpendicular arm extending outwardly in horizontal and verticaldirections from a central point and being symmetrical about said point,said building elements being arranged in a rigid frame structurecomprising a bearing plate having a main body portion and a cylindricalprojection extending from one face thereof, the other face of said bodyportion being secured to one arm of a prefabricated building element, amating block having a first bore extending partially therethrough and asecond bore extending through said block, said bearing plate having abore extending therethrough and axially aligned with said second boreand means extending through said axially aligned bores for looselymounting said mating block to said bearing plate with said projectionbeing received within said first bore and means secured to said matingblock and adapted to be secured to an adjacent prefabricated element foreffecting a non-rigid connection between adjacent prefabricated buildingelements.

7. A force distributing connector as set forth in claim 6 wherein thedepth of said first bore is greater than the length of said projectionand the diameter of said first bore is slightly greater than thediameter of said projection.

8. A skeleton space form for a multilevel structure comprising aplurality of prefabricated triaxial building elements, each elementhaving a plurality of mutually perpendicular arms, base means forsupporting the space form, first connecting means for verticallysupporting one arm of one of said building elements to the base means,second connecting means for vertically supporting the other of saidbuilding elements in stacked relationship to form a vertical column,said first connecting means comprising a non-rigid connection betweensaid one arm and said base means, said second connecting meanscomprising a non-rigid connection between adjacent ends of adjacentvertical arms of the stacked building elements and tension meansconnected between each building element and said base means forstabilizing said column and thereby form a stable column structurehaving a plurality of levels.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,723,216 8/1929 Stam 5-22272,666,394 1/1954 Sadler 287l19 X 3,105,999 10/1963 Piazolo 52-1763,226,894 1/1966 Burchardt 52-236 1,883,376 10/1932 Hilpert 52236FOREIGN PATENTS 694,157 1964 Canada.

JOHN E. MURTAGH, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

